Diversity & Inclusion
Our people are our greatest asset. Our team is comprised of a consortium of skilled and passionate professionals and partners from a diverse range of fields. We believe in building a diverse team, creating a space where ALL feel welcome and have the opportunity to grow while contributing to the success of AWH. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability or genetics.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
AWH’s purpose is to improve the lives of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve. AWH Employee Resource Groups are committed to empowering each other’s personal and professional growth by building an inclusive culture, providing an opportunity talk discuss challenges we are facing and intentionally carving out time to educate ourselves on strategies and philosophies to be the best version of our whole self. Today, AWH has 3 ERGs (LGBTQ+, Women in Leadership, and Black) and is looking to expand the program. These are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives.
Foundation
In 2022, AWH established the Ascend Foundation, a 501(c)(4) with a commitment to support AWH’s core values. The Ascend Foundation is committed to the holistic wellness of our communities and supports organizations that keep our communities healthy-mentally, physically, and financially. Ascend has already begun providing technical assistance to social equity applicants in NJ allowing them access to mentorship from our staff as well as assisting with the creation of documents. Through the Foundation, Ascend has hired 4 interns who were returning citizens in Chicago and Boston. These interns helped develop community engagement goals and worked on social equity projects.
Mentoring & Small Business Incubation
Ascend is focused on incubating and supporting individuals who qualify as social equity applicants. Currently, Ascend is incubating a Black woman-owned shoe company in Michigan, providing the owner with financial, legal, and technical assistance. Ascend is kicking off a series of educational workshops across our states-monthly opportunities to learn from Ascend professionals on a variety of topics. Starting in September 2022, Ascend is also kicking off a series of Expungement clinics in Ascend states.
Last Prisoner Project
Ascend and our customers, through our customer match program, have contributed over $1.75 million to the Last Prisoner Project. The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered criminal convictions and the consequences of those convictions. LPP works to redress the past and continuing harms of our country’s unjust and ineffective approach to drug policy through legal intervention, public education, and legislative advocacy. Ascend is proud to support this organization.
Regennabis Member
Ascend is a proud member of the Regennabis organization. The Regennabis Member Network (RMN) is a Community for purpose-driven leaders across the ecosystem of the Global Cannabis / Hemp Industry that convenes to co-create solutions to deliver regenerative growth for their business and all stakeholders. The RMN is structured to provide a peer-to-peer learning and collaboration setting around four core enablers for long-term, multi-capital organizational growth: ESG, Sustainability, Purpose-centric Brand Development and Investment Services. Ascend is a proud and active member of the RMN.